6.23.2009
Linda talks books on VPR
If you missed Linda's book picks on Vermont Edition today, visit the Vermont Edition website. You can listen to the program and also view the complete list of books discussed by Linda, fellow bookseller Stan Hindes, host Jane Lindholm, and a number of callers.
6.19.2009
The Books of Summer: Part 2
Last week, we posted links to other peoples' recommended reading lists. This week, we'd like to offer our own suggestions.
First up, the books we've read and highly recommend:
Border Songs by Jim Lynch - Set along the Washington-Canada
border, this novel tells the story of a two small communities, separated by a ditch and not much else, that are shaken up by increased pressure by Homeland Security to patrol the comings and goings across that ditch. The loveable and misunderstood Brandon Vanderkool falls right in the center of the turmoil by accidentally becoming the border patrol's most successful agent. It's a great story by a great author, and we're looking forward to welcoming Jim Lynch to the bookstore on July 10!
The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen - A fascinating, unusual story packaged in a gorgeous book. T.S. Spivet is a cartographic genius who has won a prestigious award at the young age of 12. During his cross-country train trip to the award ceremony, he ruminates on his life and fractured family, interspersing the story with numerous maps and notes in the margins.
Outcasts United by Warren St. John - A compelling journalistic style of
writing makes this story about a refugee youth soccer team a must-read. St. John weaves historical and cultural background in with the stories of various children and their families who are trying to make a new home in a town that is unsure of how to handle the sudden influx of foreigners into their community.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - This little mystery is quick to read and has a wicked sense of humor, thanks to its protagonist. Flavia de Luce is an 11 year old girl with a passion for chemistry (especially poisons) who takes on the task of clearing her father's name in a murder that took place on the family estate.
John Adams by David McCullough - A very accessible account of this
fascinating early American leader. Don't let the size of this book intimidate you--it is an absorbing read.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This middle grade/young adult novel is a gripping story about a girl who is forced to fight for her life in a government-sponsored reality show that pits teenagers against one another for the honor of their district and the entertainment of the Capitol. Read (or re-read) it before the sequel, Catching Fire, comes out in September!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - This novel in journal format is about a reservation kid who defies tradition and his best friend to go to school with white kids, 22 miles and a whole world away. Funny and poignant and discussion-provoking, this is a fantastic book for teenaged boys (or girls) and adults.
Bayou by Jeremy Love - Bayou collects the first four chapters in a
webcomics series about a menacing world in which the small but brave daughter of a black sharecropper fights racism, in the form of men and monsters, and is joined by one particular monster named Bayou in her search for justice.
And now, the books that we're looking forward to reading this summer:
My Dearest Friend - The letters of John and Abigail Adams offer a personal look at a pivotal point in our history.
The Family Man - Elinor Lipman's latest promises to be a light, funny, and heartwarming read.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey - The first book
was delightful, and the adventures and mysteries just keep coming.
Southern Vampire series (Living Dead in Dallas, #2) - You can't open a magazine these days without seeing those gorgeously gothic photos advertising the t.v. series True Blood. For those of us that don't have cable, original books, by Charlaine Harris, are entertaining servings of romance, mystery, and the supernatural.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - This translated novel about lives in an
apartment building in France sounds like a good, character-driven story with the added charm of a Parisian setting.
Whiskey Rebels - Treason, deception, redemption, and a host of real-life characters make this sound like the perfect thrilling historical novel to get lost in on a lazy summer day.
Of course, this is by no means a complete list. What are your recommendations, or the books that are on your planned summer reading list? Let us know in the comments (or stop by the store--one thing we never get tired of is talking about books!)
First up, the books we've read and highly recommend:
Border Songs by Jim Lynch - Set along the Washington-Canada
border, this novel tells the story of a two small communities, separated by a ditch and not much else, that are shaken up by increased pressure by Homeland Security to patrol the comings and goings across that ditch. The loveable and misunderstood Brandon Vanderkool falls right in the center of the turmoil by accidentally becoming the border patrol's most successful agent. It's a great story by a great author, and we're looking forward to welcoming Jim Lynch to the bookstore on July 10!The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen - A fascinating, unusual story packaged in a gorgeous book. T.S. Spivet is a cartographic genius who has won a prestigious award at the young age of 12. During his cross-country train trip to the award ceremony, he ruminates on his life and fractured family, interspersing the story with numerous maps and notes in the margins.
Outcasts United by Warren St. John - A compelling journalistic style of
writing makes this story about a refugee youth soccer team a must-read. St. John weaves historical and cultural background in with the stories of various children and their families who are trying to make a new home in a town that is unsure of how to handle the sudden influx of foreigners into their community.The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - This little mystery is quick to read and has a wicked sense of humor, thanks to its protagonist. Flavia de Luce is an 11 year old girl with a passion for chemistry (especially poisons) who takes on the task of clearing her father's name in a murder that took place on the family estate.
John Adams by David McCullough - A very accessible account of this
fascinating early American leader. Don't let the size of this book intimidate you--it is an absorbing read.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This middle grade/young adult novel is a gripping story about a girl who is forced to fight for her life in a government-sponsored reality show that pits teenagers against one another for the honor of their district and the entertainment of the Capitol. Read (or re-read) it before the sequel, Catching Fire, comes out in September!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - This novel in journal format is about a reservation kid who defies tradition and his best friend to go to school with white kids, 22 miles and a whole world away. Funny and poignant and discussion-provoking, this is a fantastic book for teenaged boys (or girls) and adults.
Bayou by Jeremy Love - Bayou collects the first four chapters in a
webcomics series about a menacing world in which the small but brave daughter of a black sharecropper fights racism, in the form of men and monsters, and is joined by one particular monster named Bayou in her search for justice.And now, the books that we're looking forward to reading this summer:
My Dearest Friend - The letters of John and Abigail Adams offer a personal look at a pivotal point in our history.
The Family Man - Elinor Lipman's latest promises to be a light, funny, and heartwarming read.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey - The first book
was delightful, and the adventures and mysteries just keep coming.Southern Vampire series (Living Dead in Dallas, #2) - You can't open a magazine these days without seeing those gorgeously gothic photos advertising the t.v. series True Blood. For those of us that don't have cable, original books, by Charlaine Harris, are entertaining servings of romance, mystery, and the supernatural.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog - This translated novel about lives in an
apartment building in France sounds like a good, character-driven story with the added charm of a Parisian setting.Whiskey Rebels - Treason, deception, redemption, and a host of real-life characters make this sound like the perfect thrilling historical novel to get lost in on a lazy summer day.
Of course, this is by no means a complete list. What are your recommendations, or the books that are on your planned summer reading list? Let us know in the comments (or stop by the store--one thing we never get tired of is talking about books!)
6.12.2009
The Books of Summer: Part 1
Though summer isn't officially here, we are into the longest days of the year, school's out (or nearly), and the summer reading lists have hit newstands and airwaves.
This week, a small selection of lists found around the internet--stay tuned for our personal picks, coming next week!
National Public Radio has a lot of good recommendations, from mysteries to cookbooks; they also link to excerpts from some of their picks.
Also from NPR, bookseller recommendations (always among our favorite lists to peruse).
The L.A. Times book blog Jacket Copy takes the long view with a list of over 50 books that are being published in the coming months.
Wall Street Journal offers their five choices for vacation reading.
Entertainment Weekly has the PopWatch edition and Steven King's picks.
The Seattle Times shares picks from librarian Nancy Pearl.
International summer reading: from Canada - some of these won't be available in the states, but others, like Guillermo del Torro's horror-fest The Strain, are being published simultaneously in Canada and the U.S.
The Indie Choice Awards provide a list of bookseller-approved reading, good for anytime of year (actually, that applies to all of these books, really). Highly recommended: Sarah Vowell's funny acceptance video.
The Onion's A.V. Club has introduced Wrapped Up in Books, an online book club to introduce or re-introduce readers to modern classics. Currently on the table is Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. Another online book club idea is Paste magazine's Infinite Summer Reading Group, which is honoring the late David Foster Wallace by reading Infinite Jest.
Author Kenneth C. Davis gives history buffs a list of his favorites. (Enough with the "not all summer books are light reading" disclaimers already, though, Mr. Davis. That's been done to death.)
Salon interviewed authors about their favorite books and/or books they plan to read this summer.
Are these some of those frothy books Kenneth Davis was referring to?
[Edited to add:] There it is - thanks, New York Times, for a list of fiction by women, for women. There are some really good books on this list, though I think we could all do without the condescension towards "chick lit."
And let's not forget younger readers:
The Horn Book has some great suggestions for kids and teens.
ReadKiddoRead says Summer Reading Doesn't Have to Be Punishment, and provides a long list of reasons why, including books like Adele & Simon, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, Coraline: The Graphic Novel, and The London Eye Mystery.
This week, a small selection of lists found around the internet--stay tuned for our personal picks, coming next week!
National Public Radio has a lot of good recommendations, from mysteries to cookbooks; they also link to excerpts from some of their picks.
Also from NPR, bookseller recommendations (always among our favorite lists to peruse).
The L.A. Times book blog Jacket Copy takes the long view with a list of over 50 books that are being published in the coming months.
Wall Street Journal offers their five choices for vacation reading.
Entertainment Weekly has the PopWatch edition and Steven King's picks.
The Seattle Times shares picks from librarian Nancy Pearl.
International summer reading: from Canada - some of these won't be available in the states, but others, like Guillermo del Torro's horror-fest The Strain, are being published simultaneously in Canada and the U.S.
The Indie Choice Awards provide a list of bookseller-approved reading, good for anytime of year (actually, that applies to all of these books, really). Highly recommended: Sarah Vowell's funny acceptance video.
The Onion's A.V. Club has introduced Wrapped Up in Books, an online book club to introduce or re-introduce readers to modern classics. Currently on the table is Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. Another online book club idea is Paste magazine's Infinite Summer Reading Group, which is honoring the late David Foster Wallace by reading Infinite Jest.
Author Kenneth C. Davis gives history buffs a list of his favorites. (Enough with the "not all summer books are light reading" disclaimers already, though, Mr. Davis. That's been done to death.)
Salon interviewed authors about their favorite books and/or books they plan to read this summer.
Are these some of those frothy books Kenneth Davis was referring to?
[Edited to add:] There it is - thanks, New York Times, for a list of fiction by women, for women. There are some really good books on this list, though I think we could all do without the condescension towards "chick lit."
And let's not forget younger readers:
The Horn Book has some great suggestions for kids and teens.
ReadKiddoRead says Summer Reading Doesn't Have to Be Punishment, and provides a long list of reasons why, including books like Adele & Simon, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, Coraline: The Graphic Novel, and The London Eye Mystery.
6.10.2009
Recipe Test! "German Chocolate Darn Good Cake"
Our friend Craig, who works for publishers Algonquin and Workman, recently emailed us to ask if we'd like to be part of a recipe test by booksellers across the country. Since the recipes were for cakes, it wasn't hard to say yes.
Knowing I'd be blogging about the experience, I decided to photograph the process and was excited to discover that my camera actually has an auto setting for food! I don't know if you've tried taking (or seen) amateur photos of food, but they can really look awful. I think these came out fairly well--at the very least, it looks edible.
Normally, I'm terrible at following recipes, but I figured that this was one time when I should actually use the ingredients called for, and it payed off. That's not to say, however, that you shouldn't put your own spin on this recipe--it comes from a cookbook called The Cake Mix Doctor Returns!, so the whole point of the book is to show how you can take something basic and change it up.
Notes from along the way:
This was a very easy recipe--two box mixes (cake and pudding), combined with the usual suspects (eggs, oil, water), plus a couple of extras (sour cream, coconut, pecans). The best part was that, aside from the coconut and nuts, it all gets dumped into one bowl and mixed together. Fewer bowls=less to wash up after!
The batter was extremely thick--it reminded me of marshmallow fluff. I assume this is due to the pudding mix, and possibly the extra egg. There's also less liquid called for in the recipe than on the box.
Pouring the batter into the pan, I realized I should have chosen a lighter mixing bowl. The batter is pretty dense, and the bundt pan requires a bit of finesse to fill so as not to spill into the center hole.
Be sure to grease and flour the pan very well--lots of nooks and crannies in a bundt pan mean that there are more chances for the cake to stick. I was extra particular on this point, and a small spatula used around the edges was all that was needed to have a nicely intact cake emerge from the pan.
After cutting into the cake, I discovered that all of the chocolate chips had fallen to the bottom (or, rather, the top). I don't know if this was supposed to happen, but if I made it again I might try dusting the chips with a bit of flour, which I've heard helps suspend them in the batter.
Obviously, this German Chocolate Cake does not come with that wonderfully gooey frosting that traditional recipes offer. Anne Byrne has created a cake that gives you the flavors of the original--a light, sweet chocolate cake with coconut and pecan topping--without a lot of fuss.
The results? Lots of raves from our customers who tried it! "Moist" and "delicious" were the two compliments heard most. One customer commented that it would be a great cake for a party, and she was right--this is a big cake, and a small slice is quite satisfying.
Try it for yourself, and let us know what you think! The cookbook will be available in September, but Byrne has published a number of other books devoted to baking with cake mixes, as well as a couple of books on making quick & easy meals.
Knowing I'd be blogging about the experience, I decided to photograph the process and was excited to discover that my camera actually has an auto setting for food! I don't know if you've tried taking (or seen) amateur photos of food, but they can really look awful. I think these came out fairly well--at the very least, it looks edible.
Normally, I'm terrible at following recipes, but I figured that this was one time when I should actually use the ingredients called for, and it payed off. That's not to say, however, that you shouldn't put your own spin on this recipe--it comes from a cookbook called The Cake Mix Doctor Returns!, so the whole point of the book is to show how you can take something basic and change it up.
Notes from along the way:
This was a very easy recipe--two box mixes (cake and pudding), combined with the usual suspects (eggs, oil, water), plus a couple of extras (sour cream, coconut, pecans). The best part was that, aside from the coconut and nuts, it all gets dumped into one bowl and mixed together. Fewer bowls=less to wash up after!
The batter was extremely thick--it reminded me of marshmallow fluff. I assume this is due to the pudding mix, and possibly the extra egg. There's also less liquid called for in the recipe than on the box.
Pouring the batter into the pan, I realized I should have chosen a lighter mixing bowl. The batter is pretty dense, and the bundt pan requires a bit of finesse to fill so as not to spill into the center hole.
Be sure to grease and flour the pan very well--lots of nooks and crannies in a bundt pan mean that there are more chances for the cake to stick. I was extra particular on this point, and a small spatula used around the edges was all that was needed to have a nicely intact cake emerge from the pan.
After cutting into the cake, I discovered that all of the chocolate chips had fallen to the bottom (or, rather, the top). I don't know if this was supposed to happen, but if I made it again I might try dusting the chips with a bit of flour, which I've heard helps suspend them in the batter.
Obviously, this German Chocolate Cake does not come with that wonderfully gooey frosting that traditional recipes offer. Anne Byrne has created a cake that gives you the flavors of the original--a light, sweet chocolate cake with coconut and pecan topping--without a lot of fuss.
The results? Lots of raves from our customers who tried it! "Moist" and "delicious" were the two compliments heard most. One customer commented that it would be a great cake for a party, and she was right--this is a big cake, and a small slice is quite satisfying.
Try it for yourself, and let us know what you think! The cookbook will be available in September, but Byrne has published a number of other books devoted to baking with cake mixes, as well as a couple of books on making quick & easy meals.
German Chocolate Darn Good Cake
Serves: 12 to 16
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 55 to 58 minutes
Cool: 35 to 45 minutes
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil spray, for misting the pan
Flour, for dusting the pan
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 package (18.25 ounces) plain German chocolate cake mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate chips
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust it with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Sprinkle the pecans and coconut in the bottom of the pan and set the pan aside.
2. Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are well distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the top with the rubber spatula, and place the pan in the oven.
3. Bake the cake until it just starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and the top springs back when lightly pressed with a finger, 55 to 58 minutes. Transfer the Bundt pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Run a long, sharp knife around the edges of the cake, shake the pan gently, and invert the cake onto the wire rack. Let the cake cool completely, 25 to 30 minutes longer before slicing and serving. Or invert the cake onto a serving platter to slice and serve while still warm.
Store this cake, in a cake saver or covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to five days. Freeze the cake, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to six months. Let the cake thaw overnight on the counter before serving.
6.08.2009
Yes - there is cake!
Stop in to try a piece of "German Chocolate Darn Good Cake," courtesy of the forthcoming The Cake Doctor Returns!
After we get some taste-test responses, I'll post a full write up, with recipe.
After we get some taste-test responses, I'll post a full write up, with recipe.
6.05.2009
Review: All Other Nights
Written by Sandy (I'd meant to post this over a month ago, when the book was first published, but it got lost in the shuffle. Time to dust it off--this book could be a great vacation read!)
All Other Nights, by Dara Horn
All Other Nights is the story of Jacob Rappaport, a young Jewish solder who is forced to decide whether to betray his country or betray his family when he is ordered to murder his uncle, who is suspected of plotting to assassinate President Lincoln. Telling himself that it is the right thing to do for his country, Jacob follows orders, fully expecting some reward or recognition for his dedication. Instead, upon returning to his regiment, he is sent on another undercover mission, this time to infiltrate a family of female spies by winning the confidence and love of their supposed ringleader, Eugenia. Despite himself, Jacob learns to care deeply for Eugenia, and is once again trapped between his country and the people he loves. Whatever his choice, he may never be able to redeem himself to the ones he betrays.
By exploring the roles of Jewish Americans in the Civil War, Dara Horn offers a fresh take on this well documented period in history. Jacob is a witness to anti-Semitism in his own life, through thinly veiled comments of his peers and superiors. He sees blame placed on all Jews for the actions of individuals like his uncle and Judah Benjamin, the Secretary of State of the Confederacy. Intolerance and hypocrisy is rampant, as men who claim to fight for freedom do not believe in the same freedoms for every person, and people whose ancestors escaped from slavery now keep slaves of their own.
I enjoyed Dara Horn's previous book, The World to Come, but it was certainly a more challenging read. All Other Nights is, I believe, a much more accessible book, and should win Horn many new fans. Her writing is engaging and thoughtful, her characters intriguing and relatable. Whether you're looking for history, suspense, or romance, this is a book that will satisfy from the first page to the last.
Visit the author's website.
All Other Nights, by Dara HornAll Other Nights is the story of Jacob Rappaport, a young Jewish solder who is forced to decide whether to betray his country or betray his family when he is ordered to murder his uncle, who is suspected of plotting to assassinate President Lincoln. Telling himself that it is the right thing to do for his country, Jacob follows orders, fully expecting some reward or recognition for his dedication. Instead, upon returning to his regiment, he is sent on another undercover mission, this time to infiltrate a family of female spies by winning the confidence and love of their supposed ringleader, Eugenia. Despite himself, Jacob learns to care deeply for Eugenia, and is once again trapped between his country and the people he loves. Whatever his choice, he may never be able to redeem himself to the ones he betrays.
By exploring the roles of Jewish Americans in the Civil War, Dara Horn offers a fresh take on this well documented period in history. Jacob is a witness to anti-Semitism in his own life, through thinly veiled comments of his peers and superiors. He sees blame placed on all Jews for the actions of individuals like his uncle and Judah Benjamin, the Secretary of State of the Confederacy. Intolerance and hypocrisy is rampant, as men who claim to fight for freedom do not believe in the same freedoms for every person, and people whose ancestors escaped from slavery now keep slaves of their own.
I enjoyed Dara Horn's previous book, The World to Come, but it was certainly a more challenging read. All Other Nights is, I believe, a much more accessible book, and should win Horn many new fans. Her writing is engaging and thoughtful, her characters intriguing and relatable. Whether you're looking for history, suspense, or romance, this is a book that will satisfy from the first page to the last.
Visit the author's website.
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